Marking the 25th anniversary of the Basic Law, a seminar was held in Hong Kong on April 4 gearing toward public knowledge awareness about the Chinese Special Administrative region’s mini constitution.
The Basic Law was promulgated on April 4, 1990, and became effective on July 1, 1997, after China resumed rule over Hong Kong.
The mini constitution is a bible of the public practices and policies observed in the Special Administrative Region. It embodies the principle "one country, two systems."
According to Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary and the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee's chairperson, the Basic Law remains a vital aspect of modern Hong Kong.
Carrie regarded the Basic Law as a guarantee for "Hong Kong's prosperity and stability." The constitution "lays a solid foundation for future progress [and] it also protects citizen's rights and freedom."
For Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung, it is important to go through the drafting and implementation scheme of the Basic Law.
CY stated: "Some people question the power of the central government, the Hong Kong SAR government, and the universal suffrage, in fact, these issues had been comprehensively discussed and carefully studied thirty years ago during drafting and consultations. The details have been written into the Basic Law 25 years ago."
"What we should do today is not to follow our imagination and our ideals, but to implement policies based on the Basic Law," the chief executive urged.
According to Professor Wang Zhenmin, dean of the Tsinghua University's School of Law, Hong Kong must cherish and protect its constitution.
"It is often said that laws are cruel, but during my studies on the Basic Law for the past twenty years, I feel that it is full of emotions. Every word and every policy shows the deep affection and care of Hong Kong from the central government, the country, as well as all Chinese people," Professor Wang enthused.
In line with the revelry, an exhibition featuring historic pieces and photographs is open from Saturday. One of the highlights is the wax figures of former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and the late British Prime Minister Margaret Tatcher during a 1982 Beijing meeting about Hong Kong's future.
The exhibition aims to deepen public knowledge about the Basic Law, from its drafting and promulgation to its successful implementation.